Julia Martin House Recognized by MetLife Foundation and Enterprise Community Partners for Exemplary Work in Senior Housing

COLUMBIA, Md., Sept. 19, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Development Corporation (JPNDC) today received a MetLife Foundation Award for Excellence in Affordable Housing for its work with the Julia Martin House in Jamaica Plain, Mass. Presented by Enterprise Community Partners, Inc. (Enterprise) and MetLife Foundation, the award goes to local organizations who have shown outstanding leadership, innovation, effectiveness and quality operations and services in the area of affordable senior housing.  The award also recognizes local organizations for successfully incorporating green components in their housing.  Each of the four winners receives an unrestricted grant of $50,000 and will be recognized at an event in their community as well as at a culminating event during the LeadingAge conference in Washington, D.C. this fall.

"We are pleased to recognize the Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Development Corporation as one of the recipients of the MetLife Foundation Awards for Excellence," said Dennis White, president and CEO of MetLife Foundation. "It is through groups like this that communities are able to provide seniors with effective and supportive housing as they age. We thank Enterprise for being our partner in recognizing and uplifting these efforts."

JPNDC has provided quality affordable housing for the senior residents of the Julia Martin House since 2006. Developed in partnership with the Bromley-Heath Tenant Management Corporation to address an unmet and expressed need for affordable senior housing in the greater Boston community, the Julia Martin House integrates housing and comprehensive support services that allow its residents to age in place, a growing movement aimed at helping seniors remain in their homes as they age.

"A healthy, active elderly population is essential to a healthy neighborhood overall," said Richard Thal, executive director, JPNDC. "We thank Enterprise and MetLife Foundation for providing this grant toward helping seniors living at the Julia Martin House remain part of this community."

Created in 1996, the MetLife Foundation Award for Excellence in Affordable Housing honors nonprofit organizations and tribes or tribally designated housing entities that show exemplary best practices in the field of low-income senior housing.  Over the years, the awards program has supported more than 40 organizations and thousands of seniors with low-incomes.

"There are local heroes like JPNDC in each community," said Melinda Pollack, vice president, Enterprise. "Through its creative model, JPNDC is helping residents lead vibrant, thriving lives, while setting a high standard for others nationally to emulate. We congratulate this organization for all of its efforts and wish them much luck in the future."

The other 2011 winners of the MetLife Foundation Award for Excellence in Affordable Housing are: B'nai B'rith for its work with the Covenant House based in Brighton, Mass; Ingleside Homes, Inc. in Wilmington, Del. for its work with Ingleside Retirement Apartments; and PEP Housing in Petaluma, Calif. for its work with Casa Grande Senior Apartments.

Enterprise is a leading provider of the development capital and expertise it takes to create decent, affordable homes and rebuild communities. For nearly 30 years, Enterprise has introduced neighborhood solutions through public-private partnerships with financial institutions, governments, community organizations and others that share our vision. Enterprise has raised and invested more than $11 billion in equity, grants and loans to help build or preserve more 280,000 affordable rental and for-sale homes to create vital communities. Visit www.enterprisecommunity.org and www.enterprisecommunity.com to learn more about Enterprise's efforts to build communities and opportunity.  

MetLife Foundation was established in 1976 to carry on MetLife's longstanding tradition of corporate contributions and community involvement. The Foundation is committed to building a secure future for individuals and communities worldwide. Through programs focusing on empowering older adults, preparing young people and building livable communities, MetLife Foundation increases access and opportunities for people of all ages.  Since it was established, MetLife Foundation has made more than $500 million in grants and $75 million in program related investments. For more information visit www.metlife.org.

SOURCE Enterprise Community Partners, Inc.